Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Monsanto's Genetically Altered Corn Raises Some Concerns.

France and several Euro- nations are expressing concerns about the growing of Monsanto's insect-resistant MON810 maize. Monsanto has been selling this product in the USA since 2003. With the popularity of corn in the human diet and in the food chain of so many animals, it is important to the world to examine innovations in plants and food to grow better foods that produce more and prevent insect damage. This year the Wall Street Journal announced that there is going to be a shortage of corn seed. Together with the increased profits from the shortages and the increased global climate change challenges, that will drive up the demand to plant more corn, anxiety abounds in the farming industry. Yet why not welcome this great corn innovation? The health control agencies of the Euro-nations involved are saying that the corn shows concerns for human health. We know externally applied insecticides have not only been expensive but dangerous to humans and the environment. The genetic corn uses synthetic versions of insecticide within the corn. The International Journal of Biological Sciences has claimed that this corn has caused kidney and liver damage in rats. Link: Kidney and liver problems in rats. Link II: Scientific study. How does the genetically created corn work? Why could it be a problem? There are 3 different types that are a health concern. NK 603 has been modified to be tolerant to the broad spectrum herbicide Roundup and thus contains residues of this formulation. MON 810 and MON 863 are engineered to synthesize two different Bt toxins used as insecticides.It is the elements that we find in the insecticides and repel insects that are raising concerns for human and animal health. With changing the genetics of plants the situation can lead to an even larger problem when the plants are allowed to germinate with natural corn. We end up with all this beautiful corn, that is not safe for consumption. We need healthy corn that repels insects. Can this be possible? It sounds like Monsanto will have to go back to the drawing board. I have to wonder if the same tests used on the corn are used on the many ground water sites that have been contaminated with the insecticides that have been applied externally by farmers over the years. With new innovations you may not get it exactly right the first time so perseverance is a must. In the mean time, sweetcorn stands across the country may have to contain a sign saying this sweet corn could be damaging to your body's vital organs.

Does anyone see that this may be why the bees are disappearing? Corn is just one plant that is getting genetically produced with plant proteins that survive the Roundup and get rid of the bugs. Monsanto is just one of the companies doing this. The list is growing of the many plants using this technology.

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The goal of this blog is to promote innovation. Part of the process is making ideas come to life. If you see innovative ideas that excite the imaginations, please let us know. Innovations can be new ways to do things, things and policies that bring value.